Year: 2015

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Temporary closure of Children’s Play Area

To supplement the survey work that Hertfordshire County Council  has carried out on the land it owns at Bernards Heath, St Albans City and District Council has similar survey works underway on adjacent common land that it manages. 

To supplement the survey work that Hertfordshire County Council  has carried out on the land it owns at Bernards Heath, St Albans City and District Council has similar survey works underway on adjacent common land that it manages.  While this work is underway, the playground will be closed from Monday 21 December for a short period. The Council will open the playground again as soon as possible.

Richard Shwe
Head of Community Services,
St. Albans City & District Council

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Fontmell/Bridle Close access update 3

Still digging – efforts continue to ease access for residents of Fontmell and Bridle Close.  Mud has been a real problem and now a third almost diagonal track is being developed across the Lower Field, this time with a more substantial base of sand and gravel, similar to that used on the Green Ring. It will be accessed through the old Fire Station Grounds. 

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Young Pear Tree vandalised

This young tree on the upper field received unwanted attention recently – broken at the stump (inset A) and a broken retaining strap (inset B, shown on another tree).  Straps have been broken on other support posts in the background too. If you have any information on the culprit, please let us know – click the FoBH icon in the sidebar.

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Fontmell/Bridle Close access update

While the unresolved problem of the sinkhole, or crown hole, has been less prominent in the news of late, activity has been focused on access for residents of Fontmell Close and Bridle close. It is still a very muddy, but at least residents have been connected to essential utilities. A shuttle service truck is shown alongside.

Access on foot has been improved by the extending the footpath from the children’s play area to the end of Bridle Close, but rain has made vehicular access a real problem.

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Fly-tipping on the Heath

Having recently cleared much of the litter from the Heath, we now have two cases of illegal fly-tipping. This irresponsible practice is not only dangerous and unsightly, but has cost the Council £35,000 in the year 2014 – 2015. You can report cases of fly tipping to the council using the hotline on 01727 819598 or email: a.cleanerdistrict@stalbans.gov.uk

Update 14 March 2016

Another example in Spinney Lane – it was very promptly cleared by Council contractor.  These finds are searched for evidence of source, but nothing was found in this case.

Photos: PC

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Beech Bottom Dyke – Greenspace Action Plan Update

Beech Bottom Dyke is a large ditch up to 33 feet deep running for almost a mile at the northern edge of St Albans. It is of considerable archaeological importance, contains a valuable area of ancient woodland flora, and is an area of green infrastructure which deserves improved public access.

To conserve and improve this area, the Beech Bottom Dyke Greenspace Action Plan (GAP) was produced by The Countryside Management Service (CMS) in collaboration with FoBH in 2013 and you can read it here (pdf).

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FoBH Action Day, Autumn 2015

Our Action Day was positively balmy with warm autumn sun, and it probably helped to bring out a record number of volunteers.  When you hear of the comment ‘couldn’t find any litter’, who could hope for more.

Litter picking was was not the only activity – strimming, cutting back and other general maintenance was also achieved.

Just a few of those who took part with bags..
…and more

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Underage drinking in Bernards Heath

FoBH is collaborating with St Albans District Council (SADC) on a project to reduce underage drinking in Bernards Heath and the associated extreme litter problems that have resulted. The Community Alcohol Partnership (CAP) is an organisation, funded by the major retailers, which brings together all the interested parties including SADC, Police, local retailers,

Trading Standards and the Community  to address the problem in a co-ordinated way. They claim to have had very positive results in other parts of the UK and the Bernards Heath CAP  will be a pilot for the whole of St Albans.

Find out more from this CAP presentation document (pdf).